Hey Ya'll!

HEY Everyone! I> hope that your easter weekend/conference weekend was wonderful and just> full of happinees and family!> So here I am emailing you all the way from Round Rock Texas, yes I am in a> suburb of Ausitn just north of the city... But, I'll back up. So first I> made it over to the bus and everything on time. I know a serious miracle!> Then I talked to some of you, sorry Cami the airport phone doesn't call> Kenya. then I boarded the plane with 13 other elders. I sat next to this> really great guy and his 3 week old baby and his wife and two cute girls sat> behind us.... the whole time was just a pump up for the mission, he told me> his mission stories and lessons he'd learned and stuff.. Then, President> and sister Cutler met us at the airport! I LOVE THEM!! President is so> chill and cool and Sister Cutler is just beautiful and my kind of women.> President is a "teach them a principle and let them govern themselves" kinda> leader, which I believe is the best way, because he wants us to learn how to> work and be righeous far beyond our missions. And he said we should be> excited for the hard times becuase it builds character. I couldn't agree> more. Their first question was about the Orr's and Nate cause Richard had> called and talked to him about me back at Christmas, it was funny. but,> seriously I couldn't have asked for a more amazing mission president, I> immediately felt 100% comfortable with them!!> We went to the mission home and it also feels like home. Just such a good> vibe. They have 5 of their 7 children at home still. We were told a lot of> things that I don't quite remember and then the APs(assistants to the President)took us to the Alamo.> Its kinda the initiation to the mission. They take you to the ALamo tell you> the history (by the way it was a beautful sunny day!!) and how at the end> the General or Colonel asked the men who were willing to stay and fight till> the end to cross the line. So of course we were asked a similiar thing> about whether we were willing to stand and fight for truth and righteousness> in the TSAM Texas San Antonio Mission(yes, craig may laugh but I am a TSAMer> now!) then I was with two elders, Seans boy Elder Mangum being one of them,> we were given 2 BOMs each and we were off for the next hour. It was really> exhilirating to talk to anyone and everyone about the gospel together I> think we gave away 5 BOMs in an hour. 2 really seemed very interested and> very receptive to the gospel. One, I realized later was kinda a crazy> homeless man, but the conversation was good and he is still a child of God> who needs the gospel. Then we went back to the mission home. I helped Sis> Cutler and some of the Couple sisters serve dinner. Sister Cutler and I> talked for probably more than an hour, just about life and how wonderful it> is and how blessed we have felt throughout our lives. I really love her.> Oh and I found out right off the plane that my first area would be in the> Brushy Creek ward in Austin which is a great strong ward, and in English> with Sister Derenthal from Cincinati Ohio as my trainer. So for a split> second I was a little bit bummed that I would be in English Areas during my> mission because it kinda shot down my whole working with Latins and speaking> spanish and getting really good at it pride. The Lord knew I needed> humbling, I was a little bummed for about 30 seconds and then resolved to> make the most of every minute in what ever area in whatever language or wtih> what ever people that the Lord would have me serve. because ALL people need> this gospel and who am I to be a respector of persons as a representative of> Jesus Christ?> So here I am in Austin and don't worry on my way from San Antonio after> transfer meeting which are hilarious becasue when the APs do call outs> (which are new companionship, yeah there is so much crazy mission lingo, but> im learning quick) the new companionship embraces, they were some of the> most violent hugs I had every seen. Anyways on the way up to Austin I think> I saw 500 texas flags, at least! So crazy huh? No wonder all Texans take> their flags with them everywhere they are used to seeing everywhere.> I met sister Derenthal and she is SO WONDERFUL, Chill, obedient, just> really great. We've hit it off. Thats two for two in the great companions> department. And we immediately made a connection, she was roommates/ good> friends with Emily Dalby Mangum... I'm sure Emily told me to watch out for> her I had just forgotten but its way cool. EMily is the girl I took like> evry class with and she was in UNICEF and we did internship with the Health> Department and pretty much did everything together. We have set some really> great goals. One of my top priorities is to become a Texan. I know I know> who would have ever thought it??? Not me. I some how thought I would be> able to bypass the Texas pride thing by working with Latins and although> they call it the Republic of Texas and could cecede from the United STates at> any moment I am going to embrace it all. I am going to humble myself and> embrace the pride. I am going to love their pride and the people in every> way. They make it easy on me becuase they are all so nice and so fun. The> ward memebers I've met are really so fun. so open and so loving. We also> more importantly have set a baptismal goal of 5 this month which I guess is> kinda alot, but then my second day we set Shawn and Jessica a beautful> couple who have two girls 3 and 5 with a baptismal date of the 24th. It> wasn't easy. She was super funny cause they said they were for sure going to> get baptized at come point but they were think like October and we were like> so what do you need to be ready for baptism. And she said well first I need> 7 skirts. and I was like girl (or sister) I'll give all my skirts (don't> worry mom I'm only giving one) and then she said a timeline of the BOM,> which we got yesterday, then I was like so Jessica that will take all about> 2 days to get done. and then she said May cause it was her lucky month. But> now they are bothreally excited for the 24th. Pray for them.> Missionary work is so great, I just talk to people all the time, make> friends and most importantly invite others to come unto Chirst. I haven't> gotten into the swing of things just yet, not knowing the area or the> missionaries or the ward is a little uncomfortalbe if thats the right word,> but I have no fear, my whole soul is in this work and I know in whom I have> trusted.> I am in a car and riding bikes. Its just great. Love y'all so much!!> Oh and CONFERENCE WAS INCREDIBLE and i echo what almost every prophet said...> Focus on Stregthening the Family and make sure every home is centered on> Christ and peace love joy and happiness WILL abound!> SIster/ Hermana Rooney>>> oh and send all letters packages whatever to my apartment (which is SUPER> nice by the way, we have a gym and a pretty lake you can look it up La> Frontera, lakeside)> 940 Hester Crossing #1412> Round Rock, TX 78681>> Sorry I went crazy with this whole hour long email thing. they'll be> shorter... oh and p-days are mondays now! I'll email in the mornings,,, no> clue what the time difference is!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!